The blue corner erupts. Nakahara is already climbing through the ropes before the official announcement can even begin. Sera follows right behind him, and Hiroshi practically leaps into the ring as all three rush toward Aramaki at once, shouting over each other in excitement.
"YOU DID IT!"
"ARAMAKI!"
"YOU ACTUALLY DID IT!"
The celebration swirls around him, but Aramaki himself looks strangely detached from it. His shoulders sag heavily, and his chest rises and falls with exhausted breaths.
The adrenaline that carried him through the final exchange is already fading, leaving only the accumulated damage of ten brutal rounds. More than triumphant, he looks relieved.
He starts walking back toward the corner, but his legs no longer move with the same certainty. His balance falters and his knees nearly give out beneath him.
Hiroshi reaches him in time and catches him by the arm before he can stumble.
"Easy," Hiroshi says.
"Thanks," Aramaki answers with a tired grin.
